Page 23

ALICE

Rottvan was beyond anything I could have imagined.

When Silla and Garth offered me the opportunity to come help build a new outpost, I pictured metal scaffolding, concrete structures, and prefab barracks lined up in neat little rows. Maybe a few harsh floodlights cutting through the darkness, the smell of fresh-cut steel and construction dust thick in the air.

But this?

This looked like something out of a dream.

Golden light stretched across rolling green hills, reflecting off smooth, domed structures that seemed to have grown out of the earth rather than being built. The homes—or whatever they were—had a strangely organic look; their metallic surfaces mirrored the sky, the water, and the alien flora around them.

And the water—there was water everywhere.

Crystal-clear pools wove through the settlement, separating the rounded buildings like a natural moat; their surfaces rippled with the slightest breeze. Wooden or stone walkways bridged the gaps, creating paths that wound gracefully through the land instead of cutting through it.

The entire place glowed.

Not just from the golden hues of sunset but also from the warm light spilling from the round windows, illuminating the domes like lanterns. Hundreds of tiny golden orbs pulsing with life dotted the landscape like a constellation brought to the ground.

I had expected a settlement, a military outpost, something cold and utilitarian. But this was a small town of light. I had no idea how they built this, how it functioned, or how the hell I was supposed to help improve it. All I knew was that for the first time since landing on an alien world… I didn’t feel like I had arrived at a war zone. I felt like I had arrived somewhere I could actually live.

And then the damn alien appeared.

My heart had leaped in my chest when I realized the ship that had just landed was Xyrek’s. He had come for me! I was too excited to consider any alternatives and rushed forward, passing the soldiers aiming their guns at him. Right from the start, he showed his assholishness by antagonizing the Imperial Forces soldiers, and he didn't stop until they were all on the ground, wounded and beaten. I should have been put off, but the tiny little voice inside me was still singing that he came for me .

Not even his words later in the breakroom, because … it was getting too lonely . I could use an experienced engineer. Like I said, I could use your talents, deterred my hope. I could read between the lines that he had missed me—the same way I had missed him. But just because I could do something didn’t mean I should. He wanted to hold onto his stubborn pride and not admit his feelings?

Well, too bad. No matter how much his story intrigued me… fine, how much he intrigued me, I was still a woman. A woman who needed to hear something a bit more romantic than I could use an experienced engineer if he expected me to leave Rottvan and the life I had begun to plan for myself.

He had to do better. A lot better. I wasn't a high-maintenance girl, but I wasn't about to leave my little supportive role and become a main character in a damn romance movie unless he was going to put some work in and woo me. And I mean, really woo me. "I need a really good reason to come with you, something more than I need an engin?—"

Without a word, he grabbed me. His lips descended on mine, and, oh, that kiss. That freaking kiss. The butterflies inside my stomach didn't just flutter; they rioted. I had to fist his uniform just to remain upright because my traitorous knees turned into melted butter. I held on to him for dear life while his tongue expertly explored my mouth and danced with mine. Above all, he tasted so fucking good. Like a man. Like him.

"Is that a yes?" He smirked when we came up for air.

"Let's call it a good start, Space Guardian," I retorted, catching my breath and doing my best not to let on how much he had stolen it. "What else you got?"

My fingers were still fisting his shirt; our heads were so close I felt his inhales and exhales. The thumb of his hand behind my back began moving up and down, creating shivers along my spine and working its way into other areas, lower.

His other hand was on my arm, caressing my flesh right above the damn mating marks, sending jolts of desire through me, which were answered by my clit as it began to pulse rhythmically.

"Let me show you," he said with a cocky grin, about to pick me up.

I stopped him. "Oh no, not like this. I need to hear you say something nice before I commit to this craziness."

"Something nice?" he asked. "Like what?"

Oh, he knew how to turn a girl's lust into a murderous rage. I opened my mouth to retort, but he moved his hand from my arm and put his finger over my lips. "I did miss you."

Coming from him, that was quite an admission. I wondered how much further I could push him, but my murderous rage ebbed, making room for my desire to return. I mused that if I slept with him, and it wasn’t as good as I expected, I could simply tell him goodbye and move on with my life here on Rottvan.

Right, and the sun sets in the east …

"You did?" I questioned.

"Yes. A lot."

Call me easy, but that was good enough for me right then. God knew the man needed some help in the verbal department, but I wasn't averse to teaching him. Honestly, I had never really liked the kind of men who had adored me. The ones who brought flowers and chocolates. They always made me suspicious of what they were hiding. I liked a man of fewer words and greater action a lot more. They didn't necessarily have to beat an entire squadron of soldiers down to prove it, but… yeah, that had been pretty hot.

"Come," he took my hand and led me to his quarters.

It wasn't the first time that I’d been inside his space, but this time was different. We both knew what was about to happen, and it made me nervous. He moved to one of the hidden compartments in the wall and pulled out a healing wand. Curiously, I watched him set something on the panel before he ran it over his groin.

"What are you doing?" Visions of space herpes ran through my head.

"It incapacitates my sperm," he explained.

"It incapacitates his sperm," I said out loud, nodding like it made perfect sense. Preventing unwanted pregnancies , my mind offered as if I were too stupid to fully understand his words. "Right."

"Alice," he stepped in front of me.

"Yeah?"

He placed his thumb underneath my chin and lifted it, his dark eyes boring into mine, "Don't overthink."

"Okay," I agreed while my mind was running a hundred miles an hour. Pregnant! As in having a little silver Xyrek baby? Sweat broke out all over my body. Babies, family, and motherhood had never been on my radar, not after the shitty childhood I had.

"Alice," his voice was deep.

Before I could answer, his head tilted down, and his lips claimed mine, effectively cutting off any further thoughts of a happy-or-not alien family. I wanted this. I wanted him . With a deep sigh, I slung my arms around his neck, rose to my tiptoes, and let my mind go.

Soon, there was nothing but the incredible sensations he caused inside me. His hands roamed up and down my body, cupped my ass, ran over my flanks and the swell of my breasts. We had to stop kissing for him to tug my dress over my head while I clawed at his shirt to bring it over his.

The man was chiseled. His silver skin glistened slightly with sweat. I ran my tongue over his incredible pecs. I tasted salt and him. He was so freaking beautiful. His chest was hard as a rock and wide enough that I couldn't fully encompass him and have the tips of my fingers meet. Muscles rippled underneath my hands; his eight-pack was like slabs of marble. So perfect.

His heart beat hard and fast, his breath came out heavy, and when my hand moved south, I found his cock just as hard as the rest of him. Hard, thick, and long. I swallowed. How would that monstrosity fit into me?

He stepped back, his eyes roaming over my now naked body, feasting on my breasts. "You are so incredibly beautiful," he pushed out, and his words were like music to my ears.

It wasn't just his words; it was in the way his hands balled and unballed, ready to cup my breasts, the hoarseness of his voice, and the smoldering fire in his eyes.

"You're not bad yourself," I quipped, but my voice squeaked.

He moved a step forward. I moved a step back. My heart hammered inside my chest. I wanted this. I wanted him. But I also liked how he stalked toward me like a predator.

I reached the bed, and the back of my knees hit the corners. There was nowhere for me to go except to sit down. I scooted backward as he continued to advance. My juices pooled inside my pussy, because, dear God, he was a sight to behold. His gaze burned into me like a silent claim, all male, all strength, all dominance, a predator wrapped in raw power and sharp edges. The way he moved—controlled, effortless, dangerous—sent a shiver down my spine. The hard lines of his body, the tension that coiled in his muscles, the way his cock stood hard and erect… it was intoxicating. And when he took a step closer, eyes dark and intent, I forgot how to breathe.

He stopped by the bed, "I've been wanting to do this for a long time," he said, grabbing my ankles and pulling me down until my legs dangled over the edges.

I swallowed. I had no idea where this was going, but I was tense with anticipation. When he sank to his knees between my legs, I swallowed again. Fuck, he was hot.